13 May HU Student Receives Worship Award

Kyle Brenneman (right), a senior worship leadership major at Huntington University, has received the first Award of Distinction in Christian Worship from The Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies. Kyle, from Spencerville, Ohio, is the grandson of Howard and Sue Cherry, who are well-known in the United Brethren church for their service in the pastorate, at Huntington University, and at the United Brethren national office.

The award, earned by Brenneman for the quality of his scholarship, leadership and diligence, includes a $1000 scholarship to continue his studies at the institute.

The Institute of Worship Studies is located in Orange Park, Fla. Phil Burkett, Minister of Music at College Park UB (Huntington, Ind.), is finishing his doctoral work at IWS, and Sam Ward, Minister of Music at Emmanuel UB (Fort Wayne, Ind.), is in the Masters program. Read more.

09 May Huntington University Alumni Portal

Huntington University has launched an internet portal for alumni. If you’re an alum, you may have received an email about it. That email contains your HU ID number, which you need to register. One neat feature: you can view your entire giving history to Huntington U.

02 May HU Among Best Christian Workplaces

Huntington University is one of 33 organizations listed among the Best Christian Workplaces Institute in the US, according to the Best Christian Workplaces Institute.

The survey involved more than 7,834 employees in 67 organizations across the US to identify great workplaces with a Christian mission and/or values. Based on the survey, people love to work for the Best Christian Workplaces for two reasons: the cause and the culture.

21 Apr HU to Honor the Birdsalls, Owen Gordon

Three members of the United Brethren missions family will receive honorary doctorates from Huntington University during the May 17 Commencement exercises.

Rev. Russ and Nellie Birdsall will be recognized for their service in missions, education, and other ministries. Russ will receive a Doctor of Divinity and Nellie a Doctor of Humane Letters.

Rev. Owen Gordon, president of Jamaica Bible College, will also receive a Doctor of Divinity.

Russ and Nellie Birdsall (right) graduated from Huntington College in 1953, both with Bachelor of Science degrees in education. Nellie taught school for three years in Huntington while Russ completed seminary. Then, in 1957, they headed to Sierra Leone as missionaries. Russ served as education secretary and business manager, while Nellie became the mission house hostess and was involved in women’s and children’s ministries.

The Birdsalls concluded their missionary service in 1968, when Russ became Dean of Students at Huntington College and, later, Director of Church Services and Alumni. Meanwhile, Nellie resumed teaching elementary students in the Huntington public school system. She also taught GED courses at the Huntington County Jail.

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11 Apr Jerry Jenkins to Deliver HU Commencement

Huntington University will hold its 110th commencement exercises on May 17.

• Baccalaureate. Dr. Luke Fetters, Huntington University associate professor of ministry and missions, will deliver the baccalaureate address in the Merillat Centre for the Arts. His topic: “Laying Down Our Lives.”
  
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03 Apr Ty Platt Becomes New HU Hoops Coach

Ty Platt (right) will take over as head coach of Huntington University men’s basketball team, beginning in the 2008-2009 season, the University announced on April 1. Platt succeeds his father, Steve Platt, who coached the Foresters for 14 years.

The younger Platt has served as associate head coach of the Foresters since 2005. He joined the staff after coaching 12 years in the high school ranks, most recently six years at Norwell high school in Ossian, Ind.

13 Mar Motorcycle License Plate for Huntington University

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has released a special recognition motorcycle license plate for Huntington University. The design features the university’s athletic logo.

An authorization form is needed to purchase the plate from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles office.

Specialty plates are available for a number of organizations within the state, and all require some additional fees. The Huntington University plate is being offered with the minimum required $15 administrative fee assessed by the BMV. No extra fee will be collected by Huntington University.

Many people already own the license plate available for passenger cars, trucks, and recreational vehicles.

13 Mar HU Consolidates the Graduate School

Huntington University‘s Graduate School will consolidate two programs into one new program. The Master of Arts programs in pastoral ministries and discipling ministries will be merged to form the new Master of Arts in ministry leadership program.

In addition, the university’s Graduate School of Christian Ministries will now be referred to as the Graduate School and will encompass the new program, the online Master of Arts program in youth ministry leadership, the new graduate counseling program, the Master of Education program, a diploma in pastoral leadership program, and continuing education courses.

Beginning in the fall of 2008, the Ministry Leadership program will prepare graduate students for healthy and balanced pastoral leadership and train them to equip, teach, mentor and lead others to grow and serve as disciples of Jesus Christ.

The Master of Arts in ministry leadership is recognized by the Church of the United Brethren in Christ as the basic standard for ordination.

13 Mar HU’s 2008 Theatre Camp

This summer, the Huntington University will host its third Summer Theatre Youth Camp. From June 25-July 20, campers entering grades kindergarten through 12 in the fall will learn basic theatrical training from theatre professionals and perform a fully produced musical theatre production. This summer’s performance will be “Guys and Dolls Jr.,” and every camper will have a part.

The camp will run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Huntington University Merillat Centre for the Arts with performances on July 20. Camp will not be held on July 4.

The cost is $175 per camper with a late registration fee of $25 after May 1. Space is limited to 50 campers.

In 2006, the first camp of 16 children performed “Music Man Jr.” In 2007, the camp’s enrollment for “Annie Jr.” more than doubled from the previous year.

David and Kristi Shamburger, Huntington University theatre faculty, serve as co-camp directors. The Shamburgers created and directed summer youth musical theatre camps in Georgia and have experience with the Nevada School of the Arts youth theatre programming.

David most enjoys the enthusiasm and passion of the young actors. “To them it is magic,” he said. “I always try to get my actors to return to a sense of play. The children still have that, and it’s nice to work with.”

21 Feb Stewardship Training for Local Churches

Bishop Emeritus Paul Hirschy, now on staff at Huntington University, is offering to local churches the “Good Sense” stewardship training produced by the Willow Creek Association. This is a six hour session which can be offered on Saturday or Sunday.

The Good Sense training helps participants understand biblical stewardship principles and develop a personal spending plan. It clarifies the danger of consumer debt and points out how this debt is keeping many from being able to enjoy the realization that they can be good stewards of all that God has entrusted to them.

The cost to the church or the participant is $15 per manual (couples share one manual). You can contact Paul Hirschy at phirschy@huntington.edu or call toll-free 1-866-213-3710 to schedule the training or ask questions.